Songkran Festival to stimulate Thai tourism

BANGKOK, April 10 (TNA) - The Center for Economic and Business Forecasting, under Bangkok-based University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), has projected that the country's tourism and related businesses should earn a total of about 28 billion baht during this year's Songkran holidays, from April 11 to 17. The center's director Thanawat Phonvichai voiced the projection on April 9, saying that the forecast figure is an about 2.2 per cent year-on-year increase. Thanawat estimated that local tourism and related businesses should earn about 12.20 billion baht from Thai travellers and another about 15.80 billion baht from foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand during the Songkran, or Traditional Thai New Year, Festival 2019. Thanawat also told journalists that a total of over 135.80 billion baht is expected to be changed hands during this year's Songkran Festival, an only 2.76 per cent year-on-year increase from a 3.50 per cent year-on-year increase in 2018, as part of respondents nationwide opted to stay home due to feared traffic problems and smog in some areas, rising costs of living and the impact from a delay in a clear political direction after last month's general election. According to the senior Thai economist, his center's recent survey also found that most respondents would spend their money during this year's Songkran Festival on shopping, a reunion with and paying respect to their families' members and relatives, visits to tourist sites and merit makings. The senior economist stated that his center's recent survey also found that most respondents wanted to pay respect by pouring the scented water on the palms of incumbent Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha, followed by a rising politician star, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, along with their favorite Thai actors and actresses. (TNA)